Growing up on the banks of Idaho’s Salmon River, Devon Barker understood the power of being active outside and forming a relationship with your environment from an early age. A professional kayaker and raft guide turned middle school teacher, Devon wanted to help other local youth find their way to the river.

https://youtu.be/P5PVmQsHEXU 

Drawing inspiration from the D.A.R.E programs of the 1990s and early 2000s, Devon launched DARE to Kayak, a multi-day program that brings kids from Riggins and the surrounding towns on the Salmon River, teaching them how to kayak, giving them an alternative to drugs, alcohol, and screens while building confidence in themselves and fostering a life-long relationship with the outdoors.

“In this small town, this program has helped significantly with keeping kids away from some worse crowds. It’s just a great alternative to like, sitting around and doing nothing.” – Boden, Instructor, DARE to Kayak

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Featuring – Devon Barker + The DARE to Kayak Program. | Filmed on Idaho’s Salmon River, Summer 2025

Learn more about DARE to Kayak at Barkerriver.com.